Bruynswick School No. 8 · Photo: Daniel Case · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Shawangunk than in 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shawangunk gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #349 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then hurricanes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 2003.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What stands out about Shawangunk’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Shawangunk faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Hurricanes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Shawangunk’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Shawangunk, and Shawangunk’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 12% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #349 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Shawangunk’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical New York town has lower expected damage than 69% of U.S. towns; within the state, Shawangunk has less expected damage per building than 54% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.7M a year in losses across Shawangunk: $3.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Shawangunk flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2003
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Shawangunk, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Torrential rain1 claim · $1K
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $5K
- Hurricane Sandy1 claim · $3K
Shawangunk isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ulster County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Shawangunk
Disasters that paid out in Shawangunk itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Shawangunk), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$45K to the Town of Shawangunk for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$91K to the Town of Shawangunk for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $3K
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee$111K to the Town of Shawangunk for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$138K to the Town of Shawangunk for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $5K
- 2003Snow$19K to the Town of Shawangunk for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2002Snowstorms$57K to the Town of Shawangunk for repairs
Show all 8
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$50K to the Town of Shawangunk for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$16K to the Town of Shawangunk for repairs
Ulster County has had 28 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees; the 2001 World Trade Center declarations.
Old photos of Shawangunk after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Shawangunk archive →Shawangunk and its neighbors
Shawangunk is 3rd of the 8 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plattekill | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Crawford | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Shawangunk | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Montgomery | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Mamakating | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 40 |
| Gardiner | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Ellenville | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Wawarsing | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 75 |
| Walker Valley | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Pine Bush | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Newburgh | — | not graded yet | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Shawangunk faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Shawangunk
Is Shawangunk at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shawangunk has lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #349 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and hurricanes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Shawangunk flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Shawangunk since 2003, $43K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Torrential rain (1).
Is Shawangunk in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Ulster County, 26% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Shawangunk?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Shawangunk’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Shawangunk?
By FEMA money that reached Shawangunk, Hurricane Irene (2011): $138K to the Town of Shawangunk for repairs. By flood claims, Torrential rain: 1 paid, $1K.
Is Shawangunk at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Shawangunk’s rate for it is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Shawangunk.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Shawangunk’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.